In true atheistic style - how low can you go?

Opposing Views

By Michael Allen, Wed, August 22, 2012

American Atheists Incorporated (AAI) has begun a billboard campaign in Charlotte, North Carolina, site of the Democratic National Convention, attacking the religious faiths of President Obama and Mitt Romney, reports Fox News (video below).

One billboard says: "Christianity: Sadistic God, Useless Savior," while the other states: "Mormonism: Magic Underwear, Baptizes Dead People, Big Money, Big Bigotry."

The anti-Mormon billboard was originally planned for Tampa, Florida, site of the Republican National Convention. However, billboard companies in Tampa, Florida won't put up the ad.

Amanda Knief, managing director for AAI, told Fox News: "We chose Christianity and Mormonism for these billboards because those are the religious faiths of the two presumed candidates for president."

"The president of the United States is in a position to make life-changing decisions for all Americans. We believe it is perfectly reasonable to ask whether each candidate will choose to follow his religious faith or the U.S. Constitution when making those decisions."

Kevin Madrzykowski, of Adams Outdoor Advertising which rented the billboard to AAI, said in a statement:  "The upcoming Democratic National Convention will bring to Charlotte people of varying viewpoints and a diversity of opinion. The ability to express one's opinion is a right and a privilege at the core of a democratic society."

Another first - LDS on President's Faith Advisory Board

Read the article here. I guess we're a legitimate religion now, even in politics.

"Elder Steven E. Snow of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been appointed to the President's Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, according to a press release issued Thursday by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah."

According to the White House, the advisory council is charged with: indentifying best practices for delivering social services, improving the implementation of public policies related to faith-based groups, and recommending changes to polices, programs and practices to the president. (Sojourners God's Politics Blog)

Helaman and his 2,000 Stripling Warriors

2,000 Stripling Warriors - represented by the youth of Bountiful in the Bountiful Handcart Days Parade on 7/20/12. The Book of Mormon account tells of 2,060 who were all preserved. They were valiant young men who said they did not doubt - their mothers knew. This parade entry was amazing. I am so happy I was there. It was a moving experience. Book of Mormon, Alma 57: 19-27

19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and they would that Helaman should be their leader.

20 And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.

22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west sea. (Alma 53:19-22)

25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there one soul among them who had not received many wounds.

26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith in that which they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.

27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually. (Alma 57: 25-27)

And Captain Moroni's Title of Liberty made an appearance...

12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it— In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land— (Alma 46:12-13)

This was one of the highlights of my life. I am so privileged to have been a witness to this march. I feel confident about the youth who defend our faith.

Other side of the Anti-Mormon coin...

Things that make you go hmmmmn the night...  Read this discussion reported by Joseph Walker in the Deseret News:

Mormonism is different, but is it too Christian?

 

Mormon bashing - acceptable prejudice?

Good article by a non-LDS Christian academic, Thomas C. Terry is found here in Inside Higher Ed.  It's worth reading.  He does a brilliant job defending the church without being untrue to his own.  He asserts:

Many of the academics consider themselves liberal, socially responsible, and broad-minded individuals, the repository of the best in America. They’re proud of themselves for voting for Barack Obama (a bit too smug maybe?). They would splutter and bluster and be generally outraged to be considered prejudiced. None would consider saying anything similar about African-Americans, Muslims, Jews, Native Americans . . . well, you get the idea. But anti-Mormonism is part of the same continuum that contains discrimination against any group. Why, then, is it allowable publicly express bias against Mormons?

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2012/05/29/essay-about-prejudice-academe-against-mormons#ixzz1weHpPOkO

Defining the LDS Church

 Speaking of reporters who don't bother to do the real homework for their reporting of LDS beliefs and doctrine... while crediting some with fair and balanced reporting, Richard Eyre writes:

     "But unfortunately, there are many, many others who really seem to think “the Mormons are fair game” and who seem to feel that their reporting will be more sensational if they focus on sources “with an edge,” which often means sourcing our critics, our splinter groups and those who have completely or partly broken with the church for various reasons.
     And we let them get away with it. Maybe we are a little too nice and a little too forgiving. If media wrote or reported the same kinds of things (or used the same flawed sources) about other religions, they would instantly be branded at best as politically incorrect and at worst as bigots."

"If more journalists and commentators would take the time to really do their homework, to talk not only to the “official” church but to a few of its regular, everyday faithful members, they would portray us as less weird and more exceptional."

My feelings exactly.   Please go to the source.  What has happened to journalism, and being objective, avoiding bias?  What about "abundance mentality".  There is enough to go around.  Why do some insist on tearing us down.  Does it really make someone else look better?  What it really does is makes the reporter look lazy and, yes, biased.

A very special mother on Mother's Day

Misrepresentation of Mormons - what else is new?

This N.Y. Post columnist, Maureen Callahan, should have her journalism license revoked - if there was such a thing.  Her blatant disregard for accuracy and laziness is inexcusable.  Read here. 

Episcopal Priest/LDS Temple Visit

This is a very good article written by a female Episopal priest, Danielle Tumminio, who visited the new Missouri LDS Temple during the public open house.  Read at Huff Post Religion.   Open house continues through April 28.  Tickets are free but reservations are required to control the traffic flow.  Check it out here.

Kansas City LDS Temple

Pew forum report

Pew Forum reports that Mormons volunteer "much more" than the general public.  It's not about boasting because it is what we are charged to do by Jesus himself.  It does make me feel good to see this report and it should better show what "Mormons" are about.  It can be found here.  Another interesting site is found here that reports coverage and news media about our recent General Conference, where we hear the words our our prophet and apostles who remind us twice a year in this worldwide assembly and broadcast of how to keep ourselves on track - the straight and narrow path, that is. 

With a husband who is a recent convert, previously devout Evangelical Christian, it was interesting to see conference from his view and perspective.  He has found that the restored gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perfectly supports his basic Christian beliefs and adds important missing pieces.  While my husband is having some serious challenges, this has been an anchor for him, as his Christianity always has been in his life.

I hope my friends from the midwest will take time to tour the newly completed Kansas City, Missouri Temple.  More info here. 

LDS General Conference

Church website should have recordings if you can't watch live.  Locally we can view at 10 and 2 both Saturday and Sunday.  BYU TV also broadcasts it.  I always enjoy it.  Unfortunately, Gary is not here to watch with me since he is in Las Vegas.  I have a pretty long to-do list waiting.  Spring is such a busy time.  I'll have to repair the fence damage before I will even be able to move stuff from the shed to the curb for cleanup day and then getting the lawnmower to the front lawn...

And, for help with spring cleaning:

• Ta-da ~  Cleanup week starts April 16 - free landfill use for two weeks for Bountiful residents. They also pick up our junk at the curb this week.

• Free document shredding at Horizon Credit Union April 28th – Bountiful – 105 South 500 West

• For my Farmington family members too at Horizon May 12th – Farmington – 225 South 200 West

Horizon Credit Union’s SAFE SHRED SATURDAY is a free community event for residents who would like to have their private documents properly destroyed in a SAFE and efficient way. There is no limit to how much paper people can shred at this free event. Some examples of items that may need shredding are unneeded documents with Social Security Numbers, account numbers, or other materials with personal identification.

Mormons are far from "anti-semetic"

From the DesNews article found here:  One of the charges leveled in the recent controversy over vicarious baptisms for the dead is that Mormonism is anti-Semitic.
Nothing could be further from the truth....

From the  Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 29:4-6 :

"But thus saith the Lord God: O fools, they shall have a Bible; and it shall proceed forth from the Jews, mine ancient covenant people. And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? Yea, what do the Gentiles mean? Do they remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?
"O ye Gentiles, have ye remembered the Jews, mine ancient covenant people? Nay; but ye have cursed them, and have hated them, and have not sought to recover them. But behold, I will return all these things upon your own heads; for I the Lord have not forgotten my people.
"Thou fool, that shall say: A Bible, we have got a Bible, and we need no more Bible. Have ye obtained a Bible save it were by the Jews?"

Humanitarian Service Project

The wheelchair project is one of my favorite charities. When you give to the LDS Church Humanitarian Fund, they obtain the chairs at an incredible price, buying in bulk with donations from companies. The result is that our dollars go much further when combined with such a project as this.

The purpose of temples

Christmas Devotional

I enjoyed the First Presidency message at the annual Christmas Devotional last night.  It was a perfect way to start the Christmas holiday and the Conference Center is always beautiful, but especially at Christmas. You can view it here (though nothing is quite like being there in person). Sorry no pics; I went alone then hurried back home since the storm was supposed to bring bad winds my way. 

Mormon/Evangelical doctrinal discussions

One of my favorite authors and religious instructors, Robert  Millet and his Evangelical friends have been meeting twice a year for the last 12 years - amicably!  Read a summary of their interactions and dealings with doctrinal differences in this DesNews article.  A couple of excerpt follow.  It's very refreshing to see this kind of respect and comradarie which has led to greater understanding of each other.  Isn't that a pretty big part of being Christian  With this kind of misunderstanding again front and center due to the Mitt Romney/Jon Huntsman/Rick Parry (and cohorts) political volleying with the "religious test" for presidency and all, it's interesting to see what some of these religious leaders think and how they behave themselves.

There's still the big question:  Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a Christian religion?  Who can claim to determine that a Mormon is not a Christian?  Presuming to make such a declaration seems pretty un-Biblical to me.    And, many members of "mainstream Christianity" believe you only need to declare yourself a believer to be such.  So why do we think we can judge someone else on this?  It's confusing to me.  But, I'm happy to see ongoing dialogue with the purpose of dispelling misunderstanding and encouraging moth sides of the issue to be respectful of the other and to accomplish good as the Good News is spread.  I've mentioned before some really good books that were written in greater depth about these discussion.  This attempt to understand is definitely a Christian activity. 

In an effort to clarify the church's Christianity, LDS officials issued a statement in which they quoted a Book of Mormon scripture: "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins" (2 Nephi 25: 26). Their point in doing so, they said, was to illustrate that "Christ is at the center of our worship, study, service and faith, and we believe this is clearly demonstrated in the lives of more than 14 million members in over 130 countries around the globe."

There was a Christian Council (can't remember the name of it) which voted to exclude the LDS representatives who attended.  After their dismissal a Catholic leader stood and stated that it had been one of the most un-Christian acts he had ever witnessed.  The room was hushed.  I hope they were ashamed.   

Joel Osteen , senior pastor of Houston's Lakewood Church, often referred to as America's largest "mega church," said recently that he believes that Latter-day Saints are Christians."I do not know if it's the purest form of Christianity like I grew up with," he said, "but I know Mormons … and I hear Mitt Romney say, 'I believe Jesus is the Son of God, and I believe he's my Savior.' That's one of the core issues. I'm sure there are other issues we don't agree on, but I can say the Baptists and the Methodists and the Catholics don't agree on everything."

I appreciate that this article also emphasizes that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) also have the obligation to not misrepresent the beliefs of other faiths.  We could all become better Christians indeed.

Looks like a good read:  KJV Bible and the Restoration

Religion under attack

“[The First Amendment] guarantees a freedom of religion, not a freedom from religion,”- Joe Lieberman
As a Jew in the public square, he understands the persecution and he stands up for his beliefs as well.

Obama has been called a Muslim - so what?  That is not what it is about.  Now, Mitt Romney's detractors say he is a Mormon - so what?  Both he and Jon Huntsman could bring great talent to Washington, if they are allowed to do so.  How sad for America if it is decided, based on their religious beliefs, that neither of them could serve.  (BTW: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints UPHOLDS the laws of the land).  How pathetic that basic morality is not a desirable quality to so many voters, or that they might prefer leaders who are womanizers or religious snobs who perpetuate myths such as "Mormon's aren't Christians".  Hmmmmm - somehow this doesn't sound very "Christian."

Better not get me started on the "separation of church and state" issue.  The kids in school can sing Halloween songs about witches and goblins, but heaven forbid they should sing a Christmas song.  They can have a Halloween program but only a "Winter" celebration at school.  They can talk a bout ghosts, but not holy ones.  The irony is that Halloween began as a religious event.  I guess it depends on which religion your witch is...

My friend's children attend a Jewish school and they celebrate Jewish holidays - as they should.  Of course as a private institution (so far) hey can do this, regardless of the faith of the various students (all faiths can attend). It's educational as far as I'm concerned, for them to see these other cultures and yes, faith communities are cultures to be studied. 

In other news, the Catholic Archbishop Timothy Dolan (NYC) continues to defend the faith and is concerned about the destruction of traditional marriage.  He has also seen the immediate repercussions that the public assured him was the church's "Chicken Little" unfounded fear.  The Catholic church has suffered much damage as lawsuits began as soon as the ink dried. They have lost in the arena of social services, adoptions within the faith and even threats regarding their refusal to allow gay marriages to occur in their parishes.  What rights are being trampled here?  Read more here.

Fires of Faith - KJV Bible

This series is worth watching.  The New York Times reports:

Channel Surfing: ‘Fires of Faith’ on BYUtv
By NEIL GENZLINGER

You may never have heard of BYUtv, but it’s in the midst of broadcasting a smart three-part series on the creation of the most influential book the Western world has ever seen, the King James Bible.

This year is the 400th anniversary of that Bible’s publication, and the TV network, affiliated with Brigham Young University, is marking the anniversary with “Fires of Faith: The Coming Forth of the King James Bible,” a documentary that mixes historical re-creations with well-chosen commentary by academics and religious scholars representing many faiths. Part 2, subtitled “Martyrs for a Book,” first shown Sunday, receives an encore broadcast Wednesday night and focuses on the man largely responsible for the words and phrases most Christians know: William Tyndale.

BYUtv is available on Dish, DirecTV and some cable systems. The series is also viewable online at the network’s Web site. Part three will air Sunday, Oct. 30, at 6 and 9 p.m. Mountain. The previous two episodes can be viewed on the BYUtv website. 

And for another book men found worth dying for... Book of Mormon - Complexity

Something to think about...

“Poisonous language doesn’t advance our cause. It’s never softened a single heart or changed a single mind. The blessings of faith carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate.” - Mitt Romney

Jeffress’ bigotry hurt Perry, not Romney

Worth reading...Columnist contrasts
One of the people quoted here (not LDS) observed, "In comparing the hate-filled language of Jeffress with the words and good deeds of the Mormons we met, " Obeidallah [a comic visiting Utah] writes, "it is clear to me who is best following the teachings of Jesus Christ and truly deserves to be called a Christian."
Always nice to see some common sense out there.

Jeffress’ bigotry hurt Perry, not Romney | jeffress, perry, cult - Guest Column - Kinston Free Press

"It might shock Mr. Jeffress to learn his mega-church had its roots in a cult. Jesus and his followers were considered a cult by the Jewish community. By definition, every major religion today was — at one time or another — considered a cult.
A rogue church that hides under the guise of a traditional religion, like the Westboro Baptist Church or Jeremiah Wright’s church, could be considered a cult because they are so far outside mainstream belief. However, a religion that has 6 million members is not a cult."

And..."Texas Congressman and GOP candidate Ron Paul came to Romney’s defense over Jeffress’ comments about Mormonism. Speaking to Fox News, Paul argued that Jeffress’ remark was “unnecessary.” Paul went one step further and argued that negative campaigning shouldn’t be the focus of the GOP race. “This whole idea that the most important thing between two candidates right now is the definition of cult, trying to make it sound negative for one person to get the edge over the other – and they are encouraged by others to keep this thing going,” Paul professed.  Paul also suggested that whether Mormonism is a “cult” or not isn’t the issue that voters care about in the GOP race. “I think liberty is the issue of the day. Our Constitution is the issue of the day. And too much government – that is the issue of the day. It’s not the definition of a cult.”

Read more here:

And Jonah Goldberg - I liked this statement in the article, "

"He [Jeffress] also plays into the worst stereotypes about the Republicans as a bigoted and theocratic party for evangelical Christians alone. And that's ironic too. Because anti-Mormon prejudice is not a particularly acute problem on the right."

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said on CBS's "Face the Nation" that Jeffress' remarks were "very unwise and very inappropriate." "None of us should sit in judgment on someone else's religion." The Christian Post

MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, a former Florida GOP congressman, responded strongly to Jeffress in a column for Politico.

“By assuming the Almighty’s role, Jeffress has embraced the proud tradition of Christian stalwarts like Jimmy Swaggart, Ted Haggard, and the PTL Club’s Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker,” writes Scarborough, the host of “Morning Joe.”

“Judge not that ye be not judged? Not on your life. Modern American politics as practiced by Jeffress and his ilk require that Jesus Christ be thrown under the bus with great regularity by the very same people who claim His name.”

Politics has no place in religion, Scarborough argues. “When disciples asked Jesus for the secret to eternal salvation, He didn’t mention Roman tax policy or trite temporal politics. Instead, St. Matthew tells us that Jesus declared that heaven would be filled by those believers who clothed the poor, fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty and brought hope to the hopeless.”

Republicans should disavow Jeffress, Scarborough insists. “I wonder how much longer candidates like Perry will allow modern-day Pharisees like Jeffress to do harm to the Republican Party,” he writes. “Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, and Perry all exercised their right to remain silent in the face of Jeffress’ outrageous statement. What courage. But what’s new?” Newsmax

Oklahoma Daily says, "

"In fact, under the theological and scholarly definition, cults are merely offshoots of a major religion considered different enough to be in its own category. From some perspectives, evangelical Christianity could be viewed as this kind of cult. But Jeffress clearly meant the more popular definition of cult: that of a harmful, manipulative small group based around “crazy” religious beliefs that presents a real danger to its adherents. I certainly wouldn’t claim his beliefs fall under this category, but it's equally hard to see how Romney’s do.
I am not amused by the incorrect personal attack on Romney. As a person of faith, I find Jeffress’ remarks offensive. I grew up in an area with a large LDS population, and though I am not a member of the Mormon church, many of my close friends are.
I have a tough time connecting the large, diverse group of Mormons I know with Branch Davidians or Jim Jones’ Kool-Aid-drinking followers. No Mormon I know blindly follows his or her church — at least, no more than any evangelical I know. Just like most Protestant and Catholic churches, the Mormon church has many members who believe what they are told and just as many who decide their beliefs for themselves."

"Mitt Romney should send Texas pastor Robert Jeffress a gift. It could be a fruit basket, or an e-card, or a bottle of nonalcoholic scotch. Really, whatever Romney thinks is appropriate. If the Great Mormon Debate of 2011 had to happen—and it did—the candidate couldn’t ask for a better instigator..." (www.slate.com)

The Washington Post (On Faith) Summary statement: "Does this add up to a man evangelicals can support? Absolutely - so long as they put aside Robert Jeffress’s bad theology and resist the urge towards religious tribalism. After all, where does such thinking lead? If religious tests dominate the evangelical world, candidates will have an incentive to wear the trappings of faith - even if their heart lies elsewhere.
Article 6 of the Constitution prohibits religious tests for public office. This Article may only bind the government, but it also establishes a worthy principle for its citizens. When deciding how to cast your vote, judge the man - not his church."

This post could go on and on like the song that never ends...